Colin Kaepernick provides Falcons' biggest test yet

Jan. 15, 2013
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) sprints 20 yards to the end zone to score in the 1st quarter against Green Bay in NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Candlestick Park. / Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

They couldn't stop Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who had seven carries for 60 yards and a touchdown while passing for 385 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' 30-28 wild-card victory.

They couldn't stop Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who ran for 116 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run, while passing for 287 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-20 win against the Falcons on Dec. 9.

Even when the Falcons beat the Panthers - 30-28 on Sept. 30 - Newton ran for 87 yards and a touchdown and passed for 215 yards and two more scores.

Now, here come the San Francisco 49ers and Colin Kaepernick, who scorched the Green Bay Packers for a 181 yards rushing - a postseason record for a quarterback - two rushing touchdowns and two more passing TDs in a 45-31 divisional playoff victory Saturday. The Falcons host the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Uh, oh.

Obviously, Atlanta's chances of advancing to Super Bowl XLVII start with containing Kaepernick, who at 6-5 and 233 pounds towers over 5-11 Russell, probably is faster and certainly is tougher to bring down.

"He's physically different than Russell and is probably between Russell and Cam (Newton) - closer to Cam in terms of his stature," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It's going to be a big challenge."

Kaepernick will be making his ninth consecutive start since coach Jim Harbaugh moved him ahead of incumbent Alex Smith on Nov. 19.

Mike Smith said the Falcons have learned from the Packers' mistake of playing man coverage and, while running with wide receivers, turning their backs to Kaepernick. That only invited him to gash them for big play after big play with his long sprinter's stride.

"You've got to have vision on defense. You can't play match coverages or man-to-man, because when he gets into the secondary, he's a guy who can go the distance," Smith said. "He outran a number of fast players in the ballgame Saturday night."

Now it's the Falcons' turn, but they're 3-1 against read-option quarterbacks. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon knocked Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III out with a concussion in a 24-17 win in Week 5.

"Coming into the postseason, we knew how electrifying these type of quarterbacks were," Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said. "Against Cam Newton, we struggled a little bit. So we understand what these type quarterbacks bring. We understand we're going to have to play 60 minutes and probably extend coverages a little longer.

"We learned against Seattle that we have to be much better. There can't be anymore, 'My bads.' There can't be anymore 'I'll get it next time.' When we get the opportunity, we have to make plays."

The Falcons were hurt Sunday when their best pass rusher, John Abraham, aggravated an ankle sprain, limiting him to 15 out of 67 snaps. Smith said Abraham will play against the 49ers, but how effectively? The Falcons mounted little pressure - two sacks of Wilson while the Seahawks gained 298 second-half yards, scored four touchdowns and racked up 18 first downs. Atlanta will need Abraham's pressure and outside containment on Kaepernick.

Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan - the 49ers head coach from 2005 to 2008 - brings invaluable knowledge concerning other San Francisco weapons, such as running back Frank Gore and tight end Vernon Davis. But, of course, Nolan wasn't around when Kaepernick blossomed.

"Mike has been an integral part of the building of that San Francisco team," Smith said. "So that will gives us some more insight into what these guys are all about."